Fores into Adulthood

It’s been almost three months since I graduated and I’m already almost over being an adult.

I’ve been applying for jobs for 5 months and am still working food service part-time.

And it sucks.

It sucks even more because I know my manager is working with me to give me as many hours as she can, but it’s still not enough. How do the other employees pay their bills on 15-20 hours a week? I can barely do it on 25.

I’ve applied for food stamps and I’m going to be donating plasma tomorrow.

If this is what being an adult is, I’m over it.

I’m thinking of applying for PhD programs just for the promise of at least knowing I’ll have enough money for food again.

And what frustrates me even more than my particular situation is what this means for the American government in general.

I have a Master’s degree and I have to apply for food stamps.

What does that say about our country?

How many other people my age are in the same boat or worse?

I know I’ve been privileged since this is the first “grown up” job I’ve had and I’m almost 25 years old. All my other jobs paid for college. Maybe I should have worked more in college so I wouldn’t have to worry about paying back student loans in a few months.

I just don’t think anyone who is legitimately searching for full-time employment and who is smart and capable should have to be as worried about money as I am.